Auckland Trotting Club’s Fine Benevolent Record

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1046, 9 August 1930, Page 13

Auckland Trotting Club’s Fine Benevolent Record

Next Charitable Move TO the charitably-disposed Auckland Trotting- Club must once again praise be allotted for an earnest endeavour to assist a deserving cause, Recognising the need there is for funds to help in allaying the distress caused through the bugbear of unemployment, the management of the local progressive light-harness organisation will shortly stage a “benefit” fixture for relief purposes.

Generosity is undoubtedly one of the main planks in the policy of the Auckland Trotting Club, and for a considerable number of years the rule has been consistently observed. In good seasons, or ill, the executive has never failed to lend a helping hand to some deserving cause, and institutions of various functioning processes have repeatedly had occasion to thank the local trotting authorities for donations freely awarded. It has proved the “friend indeed” in many cases of need. Earthquake Effort Admirers of the club’s charitableness and followers of the sport generally, will retain vivid recollections of the splendid effort put forth last August for the relief of the earthquake sufferers in the other Island. When the public of New Zealand began to recover from the first shock of the dire calamity which spread itself over the Nelson, Buller and West Coast territory, there was a keen outcry for funds to assist in alleviating the sorry position into which so many people had been precipitated, anil among the first lo devise a “big” scheme was the Auckland Trotting Club. The machinery was quickly set in motion, and the fixture so ably staged and well conducted at Alexandra Park on August 31, proved a huge success, and the relief fund was augmented to the extent of £5,000. The prompt and generous action of the local light-harness association gave a lead in many other directions with excellent results. Unemployed Relief And now once more the Auckland Club executive is out to render all possible assistance in another deserving objective. From varying causes, unemployment lias grown to alarming proportions in “God’s Own Country '* and the time has arrived when concerted action is absolutely desirable if the sufferings of the unfortunate army of unemployed are to be even partially relieved. The Government is trying a remedial salve in the way of taxation, but it - can do more by remitting its substantial quota collected from trotting and racing fixtures. This was done last season, when Auckland and Christchurch hold “earthquake” fixtures and Dunedin staged recently a successful function for the unemployed funds. Naturally, a similar practice will obtain with regard to the forthcoming meeting at Epsom. On this occasion, a two-day carnival will be produced, as against a one-dav affair last August, consequently, the result can be confidently expected to reach even greater results. The Road to Success The safest, surest and most direct road to success is through co - operation, and in the present instance this will be the greatest factor toward attaining the greatest results. A spirit of harmony will be essential between the promoters, owners and trainers and the public, and if each section in turn will direct attention on the main goal—success with profit—then the objective will be achieved. The Auckland -Club has promoted the movement in a commendable spirit and will play its part efficiently, while owners and trainers, pleased at the prospect of an early “try-out” in the new season, will support the project wli ole - h ear t edly. The third party—a big consideration—will be the general public, and to ensure the seal of success being stamped on the undertaking, this important faction must rally to the

cause. Trotting and racing fans will naturally support the humanitarian effort, but to make the greatest success it is essential that all other sporting organisations should enter into the real spirit of the occlusion and assist the trotting club in its endeavour to materially assist those in need. A “Blank” Saturday To further this end, it would be good policy on the part of all associations which hold week-end functions, to cooperate in the project by declaring the Saturday selected by the trotting club “blank.” That is, to keep the day set aside for the benefit trotting fixture clear on the sporting calendar, in order to avoid any clashing. There may be of course representative arrangements which cannot be avoided, but in the main a declaration of “all games suspended” generally would be of benefit to the cause and generally appreciated. Jn order to make the function a “full benefit” affair, the club will cut out all incidental expenses usually associated with race meetings, while many of the salaried officials lmve already generously offered their services on this occasion free of charge, which means that the amount payable for their duties will be a donation to the deserving fund. Complimentary tickets will bo dispensed with, as far as possible, and everyone will be expected to “pay, pay, pay.” The tariff will be made within the reach of all, and in this way the profits should be appreciably larger. Club’s Generosity The relief fixture will take place on Saturday, August 30, and Monday, September 1, dates that cannot fail to suit all concerned. It does away with the monotonous break between the Auckland Club’s June and October fixtures, and in the event of the func-

tion proving the success it richly deserves, the club, under its merger scheme, may feel disposed to hold a fixture annually at this period of the season. In connection with the forthcoming meeting, it should be pointed out that the progressive club arranging the proceedings has nothing to gain as a result of the project. In fact it could

bo a loser as far as damage to the grass track is concerned, should climatic conditions bo unsatisfactory prior to tho function. As already mentioned many officials are making a sacrifice by giving all services gratis for the occasion, and this, together with the attractive prize schedule of £4,000, will serve to demonstrate positively what the Auckland Club is endeavouring to do to assist a cause that certainly requires assistance. THE PROGRAMME For the benefit of owners and trainers the programme is appended. FIRST DAY-AUGUST 30 Grey Lynn Handicap (trotters only), of £200; 3 5 miles. 3.45 limit. Ponsonby Handicap, of £200; 15 miles- 3.40 limit. Auckland Handicap, of £500; 2 miles. 4.34 limit. Mount Roskill Handicap, of £250; miles. 2.52- limit. Onehunga Handicap (trotters only), 2 miles. 4.46 limit. Ellerslie Handicap, of £200; 2 miles. 4.46 limit. Avondale Handicap, of £300; 1 mile. 2.15 limit. SECOND DAY—SEPT. 1. Devonport Handicap (trotters only), of £200; 3 5 miles. 3.45 limit. Mount Eden Handicap, of £200; 1J miles. 3.40 limit. Otahuhu Handicap, of £500; 2 miles. 4.34 limit. Panmure Handicap, of £250; li miles. 2.52 limit. Epsom Handicap (trotters only), of £350; 2 miles. 4.46 limit. Newmarket Handicap, of £200; 2 miles. 4.46 limit. Mount Albert Handicap, of £300; li miles. 2.47 limit. Nominations for all events close with the club’s secretary, Mr. A. G. Mabee, on Friday next, August 15, at 5 p.m. Handicaps for the first day’s events will be announced on August 19, and acceptances for same will be received up till 5 p-m. on Friday, August 22. TROTTING FIXTURES August 9, 13, 15—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. August 30, September I—Auckland T.C. ißelief Fixture) iSeptembei 6—New Brighton T.C. October 4—Methven T.C. October li —Waikato T C. Octobej 18—Northland T.C. October 25 and 27—Greymouth T.C. October 25 and 27—Auckland TC. October 27—Oamaru T.C. November 11 13 14—N.Z Metropolitan T C. November 22. 26—Otahuhu T.C. December 27 30 31—Auckland T.C